FWP Seeking Info on Wasted ElkBy angelamontana

BILLINGS — Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks game wardens are looking for information about two spike elk that were killed recently south of Big Timber and illegally left to waste.

An adjacent landowner found the two dead elk Sunday, Oct. 29, on U.S. Forest Service land near Green Mountain, between the East Fork and main stem of the Boulder River.

FWP game warden Derek Fagone said it appears the animals were shot and killed late Friday evening or early Saturday. The perpetrator removed a small amount of meat and teeth from one of the elk, but the remainder of the elk and another spike bull were left to waste. The poacher built a small warming fire next to the two dead animals.

Anyone with information about the poaching is encouraged to call Fagone at 406-860-7809. A person also can call FWP’s 24-hour tip line at 1-800-TIP-MONT (800-847-6668) and qualify for a cash reward of as much as $1,000 for information leading to a conviction of the persons responsible for the illegal waste.

The 1-800-TIP-MONT program is a toll-free number where people can report violations of fish, wildlife or park regulations. Callers may remain anonymous. It is similar to the well-known Crimestoppers program and offers rewards for information resulting in conviction of persons who abuse Montana’s natural, historic or cultural resources.